Apparatus for tank filling

ABSTRACT

A tool for filling tanks adapted to be threaded into the fill opening of a tank to be filled. Said tool being provided with a mandrel carrying a plug adapted to be inserted in said fill opening beneath the threaded portion thereof and a sleeve adapted to force a wedge into said plug to wedge same into said fill opening to seal same.

[ 51 Oct. 29, 1974 United States Patent [1 1 Furry 3,577,696 5/1971 Bock et 53/97 X APPARATUS FOR TANK FILLING [75] lnventor: James E. Forry, Monmouth, Oreg.

[73] The United States of America as Primary Examiner--Andrew R. .luhasz Assistant ExaminerZ. R. Bilinsky Assignee:

represented by the Secretary of the Army, Washington, DC.

May 24, 1973 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Edward J. Kelly; Herbert Ber]; Herbert H. Murray [22] Filed:

[57] ABSTRACT A tool for filling tanks adapted to be threaded into the till opening of a tank to be filled. Said tool being provided with a mandrel carrying a plug adapted to be in- [211 App]. N0.: 363,768

serted in said fill opening beneath the threaded portion thereof and a sleeve adapted to force a wedge into said plug to wedge same into said fill opening to seal same.

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[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,100,439 6/1914 Mauran.............................

53/101 X 3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDum 29 I974 sum 10F 2 FIG.

FIG. 3

PATENTEDUUTZQ m4 3.844.089

I06 us NEUTRALIZING DISCARD COMPOUNDS "8 I08 VACUUM VACUUM INERT OR SOURCE SOURCE SOLUABLE GAS I62 "0 I20 SAMPLING TEST 6 LIQUIDS OR GASES TO BE STORED IOO CONTAINER APPARATUS FOR TANK FILLING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the introduction of liquids or gases into containers for storage for various lengths of time. Particularly the invention relates to filling the liquid fuel and oxidizer tanks for a missile using hypergolic fuels.

An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for filling containers which eliminates the inclusion of contaminates during the filling procedure.

Another object of the invention is to eliminate the danger of exposure of operating personnel to corrosive liquids or gases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a section through the filling apparatus of the present invention. The apparatus being shown in condition for filling operations.

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1 but illustrates the apparatus in the plug inserting position.

FIG. 3 illustrates a container fill opening with the sealing plug in position.

FIG. 4 illustrates a tool similar to the filling apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 but designed for the removal of the sealing plug.

FIG. 5 illustrates schematically the operation of filling a container with the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, generally indicates the tool of the present invention. The tool 10 comprises a tubular housing 12 having external threads 14 and 16 at its opposite ends. Two tubular bosses 18 and 20 extend laterally from housing 12 adjacent one end thereof. The bosses 18 and 20 are externally threaded as indicated at 22 and 24, respectively, and constitute inlet and outlet ports 26 and 28, respectively.

A sleeve 30 is slideably mounted within the housing 12. The sleeve is narrowed at its upper end to provide an upwardly facing shoulder 32. A ring 34 is threaded into the upper end of housing 12 and cooperates with the shoulder 32 to retain the sleeve 30 within the housing 12. An O-ring 36 mounted within a groove on the outer surface of sleeve 30 bears against the inner wall of housing 12 to provide a seal therebetween.

A mandrel 40 is slideably mounted within the sleeve 30 and is retained therein by a ring 42 threaded into the sleeve 30. The ring 42 cooperates with an enlarged portion 44 on the mandrel 40. Sealing between the mandrel 40 and sleeve 30 is accomplished by an O-ring 46 mounted in a groove on the inner surface of the sleeve 30 and bearing against the mandrel 40.

An internally threaded cap 50 is slideably mounted on the projecting portion of mandrel 40 and is adapted to bear against the upper end of sleeve 30 and be threaded onto thread 16 on the upper end of housing 12.

A plug 60 is provided with internal thread 63 and is threaded onto thread 61 provided on the lower end of mandrel 40. Plug 60 is provided with a conical recess 62 within which is positioned a conical wedge 64 which is slideable on mandrel 40 and adapted to be contacted by the lower end of sleeve 30.

After the wedge 64 has been forced into the plug 60 and the tool 10 has been purged in the manner described hereinbelow, the tool may be unscrewed from the fill opening and a dust cap or secondary seal 66 screwed in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3. The dust cap is provided with a recess 68 to accept an Allen type wrench so that nothing projects beyond the outer surface of the container 70.

When it is desired to remove the plug 60, the dust cap 66 is removed and replaced by a tool illustrated in FIG. 4. The removed tool 80 comprises a tubular housing 82 provided with external thread 84 adapted to be screwed into the fill opening of container 70. A lateral discharge port 86 is provided in a base 88 on the tubular member 82. The boss 88 has an external thread 90 to provide for correction with other devices.

A mandrel 92 is slideably mounted within tubular member 82 and sealed with respect thereto by an O- ring 94. A thread 96 is provided at the lower end of mandrel 92 to be screwed into thread 63 in the plug 60.

The projecting portion of mandrel 92 is threaded as indicated at 98. A nut assembly 100 is mounted on the threaded portion of mandrel 98. When the nut 100 is rotated relative to the mandrel 92 the lower end bears against the housing 82 forcing the mandrel 92 outwardly to withdraw the plug 60.

The use of the tools 10 is illustrated in FIG. 5 wherein two tools 10 are screwed one into the fill opening 100 and one into vent opening 102 of container 70. A pipe or tubing 104 connects port 26 of one tool 10 by means of branch pipes 106, 108 and 110 to a source of neutralizing compounds, inert or soluable gas, and the liquid or gases to be inserted into container 70, respectively. A similar conduit 112 connects inlet port 26 of the other tool 10 to branch lines 106, 108 and 110. Flow through branch line 106, 108 and 110 is controlled by valves 116, 118 and 120 respectively. A valve 114 controls flow through conduit 104.

The discharge port 28 of one tool 10 is connected by a conduit and branch conduits 132, 134 and 136 respectively to a sample test station, a vacuum source, and a discard station. Flow through branch conduits 132, 134 and 136, respectively, is controlled through valves 142, 144 and 146.

Similarly, conduit connects the discharge port 28 of the other tool 10 with branch conduits 152, 154 and 156 to a sample test station, a vacuum source, and a discard station. Flow through branch conduits 152, 154 and 156, respectively, is controlled by valves 162, 164 and 166.

After the conduits have all been connected in the manner described above, valves 114, 116, 146 and 166 are opened to purge the filling tools 10. The valves 142 and 162 are periodically opened to check the material issuing from the ports 28. When the tools 10 are purged valves 146 and 114 are closed to purge the tank 70.

As soon as the complete system is purged valve 116 is closed and valve 118 is opened to fill the entire system including tank 70 with an inert or soluable gas. Valve 118 is then closed and valve 120 opened to fill the container 70 with the liquid or gas to be stored. Valve 162 is periodically opened and when the liquid or gas to be stored appears the container 70 is full.

The mandrel 44 on each tool 10 is pushed inwardly to insert the plugs 60 into the fill openings. The caps 50 are screwed down to force the sleeves 30 downward to force wedges 64 into the plugs 60 thus sealing the openings in the container 70.

drels 44 and both are withdrawn above the ports 26 and 28. Valve 116, 114, 146 and 166 are again opened to purge the tools 10. When samples taken by opening valves 142 and 162 show that all corrosive liquids or gases have been removed from the tools 10, the valves are all closed, the conduits disconnected, and the tools are unscrewed from the fill openings. Dust caps 66 are then screwed into the till openings to protect the plugs 60.

I claim: 1. A device for filling tanks comprising: a tubular housing threaded externally at both ends, an inlet port and an outlet port adjacent the end of said housing adapted to be threaded into said tank, a sleeve slideably mounted within said housing and projecting from the outer end thereof, means for sealing between said sleeve and said housa mandrel slideably mounted within said sleeve, one end of said mandrel projecting inwardly toward said tank the other end projecting outwardly beyond said sleeve,

means for sealing between said mandrel and said sleeve,

a plug assembly releasably attached to the end of said mandrel which projects inwardly toward said tank,

wedge means slideable on said mandrel and receivable within said plug, and

means for moving said sleeve relative to said mandrel to force said wedge means into said plug.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for moving said sleeve relative to said mandrel is a cap adapted to be screwed onto said housing and to contact the outer edge of said sleeve.

3. A device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said plug is threaded onto the inner end of said mandrel. 

1. A device for filling tanks comprising: a tubular housing threaded externally at both Ends, an inlet port and an outlet port adjacent the end of said housing adapted to be threaded into said tank, a sleeve slideably mounted within said housing and projecting from the outer end thereof, means for sealing between said sleeve and said housing, a mandrel slideably mounted within said sleeve, one end of said mandrel projecting inwardly toward said tank the other end projecting outwardly beyond said sleeve, means for sealing between said mandrel and said sleeve, a plug assembly releasably attached to the end of said mandrel which projects inwardly toward said tank, wedge means slideable on said mandrel and receivable within said plug, and means for moving said sleeve relative to said mandrel to force said wedge means into said plug.
 2. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for moving said sleeve relative to said mandrel is a cap adapted to be screwed onto said housing and to contact the outer edge of said sleeve.
 3. A device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said plug is threaded onto the inner end of said mandrel. 